I’d like opinions from people who have owned/ridden both types of frames. I’m about to make my first good road bike purchase in about 12 years. My current ride is a Trek Madone, US made frame. I really enjoy riding the bike, it climbs great and is comfortable on long rides. But, i’m just ready for something new, retired last year and I want a disc brake bike for the next 12-14 years or until I’m too old to ride a good road bike.
The only Madone i can afford is the SL, I think it’s the cheapest one they have, would probably suit my needs well. I don’t like that it’s a overseas made frame. But, i’ve also been looking at Litespeed and Lynskey road racing models and they are in my price range, and made in the US. They look pretty nice
I’ve never owned or ridden titanium. What am I gaining/giving up switching frame materials? And does it matter if you are not a competitive cyclist?
Also, don’t really like buying a bike online, sight unseen, and not from a local shop.
Here’s my thoughts and experience on it. I retired 2 years ago also. I’ve always ridden Treks for the most part and love a good carbon bike. In 2005 I purchased a Serotta Legend Ti. Absolutely loved that bike and still own it. Went with a new Madone in 2011 and rode that bike till 2019 when I went to a new style aero Madone. Although the bike was fast, I just didn’t like the ride. It had no feel to it, hard to adj fit because you had to buy new bars and seat post. I set it aside and rode my Serotta. I ordered a new Emonda frame the next year and moved the components over. I have Sram AXS on it and just love that bike. The newer Emondas are even more aero.
So, my first suggestion would be an Emonda. If you go with Ti, get a name brand bike like Moots etc. I think it really matters. Both bikes will last you a lifetime.
Good luck!
My main bike is a Canyon Endurance CF, but I rented a j.guillem.com major while traveling (earlier model so still supported mechanical shifting). It was a fun bike and got some comments (the frame builder is local to Majorca). I didn’t do any side by side, but in terms of ride comfort, it was great for being out all day with some major climbing and descending (roads were in pretty good condition). Because they’re all round tubes, you’re giving up some of the aerodynamic shaping they can do with CF frames, but for a non-competitive road bike it’s probably not going to make a difference.
Here’s my thoughts and experience on it. I retired 2 years ago also. I’ve always ridden Treks for the most part and love a good carbon bike. In 2005 I purchased a Serotta Legend Ti. Absolutely loved that bike and still own it. Went with a new Madone in 2011 and rode that bike till 2019 when I went to a new style aero Madone. Although the bike was fast, I just didn’t like the ride. It had no feel to it, hard to adj fit because you had to buy new bars and seat post. I set it aside and rode my Serotta. I ordered a new Emonda frame the next year and moved the components over. I have Sram AXS on it and just love that bike. The newer Emondas are even more aero.
So, my first suggestion would be an Emonda. If you go with Ti, get a name brand bike like Moots etc. I think it really matters. Both bikes will last you a lifetime.
Good luck!
Thanks for the info-Serottas are awesome bikes! My budget is only gonna allow me about $5000, though. I will check out the emonda.
My main bike is a Canyon Endurance CF, but I rented a j.guillem.com major while traveling (earlier model so still supported mechanical shifting). It was a fun bike and got some comments (the frame builder is local to Majorca). I didn’t do any side by side, but in terms of ride comfort, it was great for being out all day with some major climbing and descending (roads were in pretty good condition). Because they’re all round tubes, you’re giving up some of the aerodynamic shaping they can do with CF frames, but for a non-competitive road bike it’s probably not going to make a difference.
Just curious- if you were purchasing, would you consider a ti frame?
Yes with the caveat that if I was going to replace my current road bike, I’d be interested in something that could also do gravel (at least 35mm if not 40mm tires) because I’ve got a few friends who have gotten more into that riding. Something like Black Heart’s All Road (a local company, although I think the frames aren’t locally built) would be of interest.
In the past few years I’ve ridden a carbon road bike (Colnago C60) and a Ti bike (Kenesis ATR) (the latter being mostly used as a gravel bike). Hoping that a couple of examples might help you think through the differences.
In 2017 I used the Colnago to ride 4 stages of that years Tour de France route, mostly in the Pyrenees (fully supported). In 2019 I used the Kenesis to ride the length of the UK (unsupported, and the only thing I changed from gravel set-up was to put road tyres on). Both adventures involved riding about 100 miles per day; the TdF stages involved a lot of long climbs (some of which had +15% sections too) while the UK ride had lots of short, sharp hills (and one or two longer ones); in each case I was neither racing nor dawdling. I chose the Ti bike for the UK ride because research suggested I could expect high ride-comfort (true, even with ‘only’ 23mm tyres on it at the time) and I felt it was more suitable than the carbon bike for the various bags I needed to fit to it.
This year I broke my Colnago into bits driving into something while it was on my roof rack :-(. I haven’t yet bought a replacement - which says a lot about what I think about the Kenesis for general road riding (budget wasn’t a factor). Instead I bought a new set of wheels for my Kenesis, so I can quickly change the set-up for riding road vs gravel. The only reason I would now buy a new carbon frame bike is if I was doing something like the TdF stages event again. Much as I love my Kenesis, it is heavier than a good quality carbon frame bike and I notice that on the hills. I generally don’t care about that as I only really ride my road bikes to train for triathlons and socially. But those Pyrenees climbs …
For context: I am 53yo male; do quite well in my triathlon age-group but nothing special.
yes it does, thanks. I’m leaning towards carbon again for this bike, I do have a Kona gravel bike and i would be primarily using this one for the ridges and valleys here in the Allegheny mountains.
I’ll start with the caveat that I realize I’m not exactly answering the question you asked, and I don’t have a ton of experience on TI bikes aside from swinging a leg over my buddy’s Firefly. However, if you can stretch your budget a few hundred more I highly recommend the Specialized Aethos (the Comp build is $5,200 with Sram Rival etap). It’s the smoothest, most comfortable road bike I’ve ever ridden but still has race geometry and handling. Obviously not remotely aero but it’s very light, there are no proprietary components, and it’s easy to work on. And the ride quality is head and shoulders above anything else I’ve owned.
You might start by seeing if there are Ti bikes with similar geometry to your current bike. You don’t want to buy something that can’t be correctly fitted to you. My son-in-law bought a really nice, used Trek and when he went to a highly regarded bike fitter (or only sold Treks), the fitter told him the bike was no where near his geometry and suggested selling the Trek and buying a Cervelo and one or two other brands. My SIL took a loss on the Trek and bought one of the other brands.
Once you know what will fit you, take a look at one year old used bikes. There are deals out there like the one my SIL had to do, and you get a basically new bike.
If you’re getting a Ti bike check out a used one and potentially save a few bucks. You’re not getting the latest aero trend so find a good frame from one of the big names that have been mentioned (Moots, Lynskey and Litespeed) with late model components.
if you race and speed is deal breaker - get a carbon aero bike, if you dont race and you don’t care about speed - you can get TI bike and probably save a bit money.
I’ve got a tricked out bianchi oltre xr2, and a titanium disc do anything road bike, with 105 level kit.
I set out with the intention of only using the Ti this year as it rides and handles really well, and using this as justification to get shut of the bianchi.
Modern Ti isn’t noodly, but with modern manipulation and shaping, it seems like more of the ride compliance comes from the added components such as tyres etc. it’s a slightly muted feel not a disconnect.
I’ve done long endurance rides (150 miles plus), hilly rides, everything local to me is 100ft/mile elevation gain, and fast chaingangs on it, and also regular commutes loaded up.
I’m perfectly happy with it, and how it delivers “just enough†of everything , and thought I’d get some blingier kit to clothe it in for summer, but one ride on the oltre and you realise just how good the super bike is. Ride it harder and it responds like it’s meant for it.
So I’ve still got both!
Not much in swaying you, sorry.
I’ve owned several Ti bikes. I currently own many road bikes including a custom carbon/Ti frame.
Ti has a number of advantages:
typically offers a wonderfully “springy” ride, although this can vary.
It machines very well so things like bottom brackets and headsets can be very precisely made and fit well (not something you always see even on high end carbon bikes). For example, my current bike has a BB30 bottom bracket that was CNC bored out after welding (at great expense). High quality Japanese bearings were pressed into it in when the bike was initially assembled in 2018. I have not had to touch those bearings since, they are perfectly silent despite lots of tough miles and lots of washes. That is still the smoothest spinning bottom bracket I’ve ever seen, it’s like greased glass.
The finish is very durable. They are typically brushed and can be quickly touched up with a little red Scotch Brite and Pledge if you want to make it look new.
Ti frames are very ding and crush resistant. It’s not as tough as steel but it’s close (and a lot lighter). Any damage will be relatively easy to spot.
Ti also has some disadvantages:
It’s difficult to shape into aero profiles. How much this actually matters is up for debate
Typically, Ti frames do not have the latest visual design trends of integrated front ends, internal cable routing and cool looking shapes. This may actually be a good thing depending on your outlook. There are exceptions here, notably the new (megabuck) Moots CRD.
Ti frames can and do crack at the welds. Ti is really hard to weld without contamination. Even the best Ti frame makers can have problems. I have had a Ti bike fail and I know a friend who has had one fail. Both were from high end, well known Ti frame makers. Mine was fixed without issue, my friend needed a whole new frame (which they made for him for free). Talking to mechanics and people in the industry I know, Ti frame failure is more common than steel or aluminum failure.
I’ve owned several Ti bikes. I currently own many road bikes including a custom carbon/Ti frame.
Ti also has some disadvantages:
It’s difficult to shape into aero profiles. How much this actually matters is up for debate
Typically, Ti frames do not have the latest visual design trends of integrated front ends, internal cable routing and cool looking shapes. This may actually be a good thing depending on your outlook. There are exceptions here, notably the new (megabuck) Moots CRD.
Ti frames can and do crack at the welds. Ti is really hard to weld without contamination. Even the best Ti frame makers can have problems. I have had a Ti bike fail and I know a friend who has had one fail. Both were from high end, well known Ti frame makers. Mine was fixed without issue, my friend needed a whole new frame (which they made for him for free). Talking to mechanics and people in the industry I know, Ti frame failure is more common than steel or aluminum failure.
Well, i thought i had my mind made up, but now i’m interested in a Seven Ti road bike.
When you say the frames failed, are you talking catastrophic as in crashing failure, or that you found a weld that cracked?
I ordered a N22 Aurora as a forever bike. I’m getting older and more into the endurance and longevity of a new bike. The wait time is about 7 months so depends on when your wanting/needing it. Assuming from your screen name would make for a little drive to meet the crew there and go full on in person custom.
The only TI bike I had before was a Colnago CT2. Bike was solid with no complaints. Only reason I sold it was because I had an offer I couldn’t refuse.
I was going to get a Colnago C68 because I’m a Colnago fanboy but don’t like the new design concept.
Hi, I also have a 2011 trek madone ssl. I really enjoy that bike and given the weight and ride of it I can’t really say any of my newer or different bikes are really “better” but that may also be because it fits great. The only thing it gives up - according to some at least - is not being disc and can’t fit super wide rims/tires.
During the time with the 2011 madone I owned an Independent Fabrication crown jewel ti and I also still have a moots CR. Frankly, I am disappointed when comparing ti to carbon. I really don’t notice any of the magic normally advertised for ti bikes. I have good components, good wheels, and the fit is pretty dialed on the ti, and it is fine, but not really better than carbon IMO. If you have the same contact points, same tires/psi, it is splitting hairs for me. I only have one other non-carbon bike, a trek emonda ALR, and it really doesn’t give up anything to the moots. Both are really great bikes though. I do tend to lean toward light builds and the emonda alr builds up to the same (or lighter) than the moots too. My other newer treks also don’t blow my hair back compared to the 2011 madone, but they may be more aero, a little lighter, or have wider rims/disc, but I can’t say any of them are noticeably better all-around road bikes.
Here is another important consideration for me. I have had a few carbon frames repaired for stupid things I did and the repairs are not too expensive and are barely noticeable. If I crash and mess up the tubes on my moots, not so easy to repair…For me the best thing about ti is there is some exclusivity and uniqueness that can be hard to find with the normal carbon offerings, unless you go custom carbon, I guess. There are so many great carbon disc bikes out there I’d go that direction personally…
